Because I add spinach to everything. I keep frozen spinach on hand so I can toss a handful into whatever I’m cooking and spinach felt like such a natural addition to my usual grilled cheese. I also added a little feta cheese for a tangy punch, a few spicy flakes of red pepper, and toasted it up on some good bread. The result was something truly spectacular. This Spinach Feta Grilled Cheese only takes a few minutes more than regular grilled cheese, and it’s SO worth the extra effort. No joke, you’ll pay about $8 for something like this at your local cafe, but not at home!
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Is This a Melt or a Grilled Cheese?
Okay, so technically this type of sandwich is called a “melt.” A melt is a grilled cheese that has other ingredients added, like vegetables or meat, whereas a grilled cheese is a cheese-only grilled sandwich. While the difference between a melt and a grilled cheese often sparks heated debates, I want people to be able to find this recipe on the internet and the data shows that people are searching for “spinach and feta grilled cheese,” not “spinach and feta melt”. The English language is fluid, and the use of the term “melt” is declining. So here we are!
What Kind of Bread is Best for Grilled Cheese
I originally used ciabatta bread for this recipe, but it wasn’t available this time around so I chose a nice sourdough bread instead. Homemade focaccia would also be nice. Because the ingredients in this recipe are a little more hearty than your everyday grilled cheese sandwich, I would suggest using any sturdy bread that can hold up to the filling ingredients. Skip the soft white bread for this one. ;)
What Kind of Spinach to Use
I used frozen spinach for this recipe because it’s easy to keep on hand without worrying about it spoiling, but you could absolutely use fresh spinach if you have it. Just sauté it down until most of the moisture is gone, just as I did below with the frozen spinach.
As far as frozen spinach goes, you’ll want to buy the kind that comes loose in a bag rather than the type that is frozen into a block. That will allow you to thaw just enough for this recipe while leaving the rest in the freezer for your next cooking adventure.
What to Serve with Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese
As with any grilled cheese sandwich, this spinach and feta version goes great with a cup of tomato soup. But you could also serve it with a little dish of pasta sauce or pizza sauce for dipping!
What Else Can I Add?
Oh, there are so many delicious possibilities for add-ins here: olives, artichokes, red onion, parmesan cheese… I’d not be against putting an egg on there, too. ;)
Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese
Servings 2 1 sandwich eachIngredients
- 1/2 Tbsp olive oil ($0.08)
- 1 clove garlic, minced ($0.08)
- 1/4 lb. frozen chopped spinach ($0.42)
- 1 pinch salt and pepper ($0.05)
- 4 slices bread ($1.00)
- 2 Tbsp butter ($0.20)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella ($1.15)
- 1 oz. feta ($0.62)
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper ($0.02)
Instructions
- Add the olive oil and minced garlic to a skillet. Sauté over medium heat for about one minute, then add the frozen spinach (no need to thaw), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Continue to sauté over medium until most of the moisture has evaporated from the skillet.
- Spread butter over one side of each of the slices of bread. Flip the bread over so the buttered side is facing down as you build the sandwiches.
- Divide half of the shredded mozzarella between two slices of bread. Top the mozzarella with the crumbled feta.
- Divide the cooked spinach between the two sandwiches, then top with the remaining shredded mozzarella and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Top each sandwich with the second slice of bread, buttered side facing out.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low. Once hot, add the sandwiches and cook on each side until golden brown and crispy on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside.
- Cut the sandwiches in half and serve!
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Nutrition
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How to Make Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese – Step by Step Photos
Add a 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and one minced clove of garlic to a small skillet. Cook the garlic for about a minute, then add ¼ lb. frozen spinach (you can just estimate ¼ of a one pound bag, or ⅓ of a 12oz. bag). Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and continue to sauté over medium until most of the moisture has evaporated.
Spread about ½ Tbsp butter over one side of each slice of bread (four slices).
Flip the bread over so the unbuttered sides are facing up. Add about ¼ cup shredded mozzarella to two of the slices. Top each with a little crumbled feta.
Add the cooked spinach on top of the mozzarella and feta.
Add another ¼ cup shredded mozzarella to each along with a pinch of crushedred pepper. Top with the second piece of bread, butter side facing out.
Heat a large skillet over medium-low. Once hot, add the sandwiches. Cook for about five minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside and melty and hot on the inside.
Slice the sandwiches in half and serve!
Ooohhhh yesssssss.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are pretty much all that I eat recently because my girlfriend is outta town for vacation and I have to cook for myself. My first sandwiches were really ugly and disgusting but these guys taught me how to do it right http://wowmp3.net/watch/GaxyzK2mHqw/You-re-Doing-It-All-Wrong-How-to-Make-a-Grilled-Cheese-Sandwich Anyways I think Iโm ready for a changeโฆ This recipe looks great and Iโm sure I can handle it. Plus, itโs always good to add some veggies to your daily menu. Cheers!
I just made this, and it was incredible. I had to use some buttered slices of Italian bread since we didn’t have any cibata on hand. But I did have fresh mozzarella and fresh spinach on hand, so I couldn’t resist trying it. I bet this would be great for a party too, perhaps get a long loaf of bread and load it up with the fillings and throw it on a grill or bake it in the oven, then slice it up.
Yesss! This looks SO good. I’ve never thought of dipping grilled cheese in tomato sauce like that, such a great idea!!
love the garlicky spinach in there! toasted cheese sandwiches are so decadently delicious, but i always feel i need to try to slip in some tomato slices or something green, so the guilt doesn’t destroy the treat. and raw veg just makes them wet–ugh. this will be awesome with the focaccia rolls, which i’m making tonight (again–because we aren’t allowed to run out of them at my house).
1) I love the 30 rock reference!
2) This looks too easy and I can’t wait to try it out soon!
These look ridiculously gorgeous. Thanks for the ideas!
Sophie x
oh my goodness. you may be a genuis! this looks so good.
Made this tonight using reduced fat mozzarella and crumbled goat cheese. SO YUMMY! Perfect sandwich for a lazy Saturday.
Oh wow this looks so good! I love how few ingredients this one includes as well, adding it to my menu list for this upcoming week.
I was so excited when this recipe popped up on my feed this morning. I was even more excited when I realized I had everything on hand that I needed to make these. I made them for lunch, and my husband and I both loved them. Simple, and delicious. Thank you for sharing!
Yum, this looks fantastic! I love spinach and feta, and putting it in a grilled cheese is genius!
I LOVE the panini press hack. I’m going to have to try it soon :)
This looks amazing.
I always end up with a little bit of fresh spinach at the end of a bag of salad, and this will be an awesome way to use that up! I think Bacon or Prociutto will also be an awesome add in here (I mean when is it not). Definitely going to try this for my next “Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup” craving.
looks amazing must try thank u so much same as always u did ur best